THE A Word – BBC1’s acclaimed drama about a bright young boy with autism – returns this week for a second series. It has a powerful message at its heart, says actress Morven Christie.

The first series of The A Word – a powerful series about a five year old, Joe, who has autism, and his family – was one of the surprise drama hits of recent years.

Starring Christopher Eccleston, Lee Ingleby and Morven Christie, the show, which followed Joe (Max Vento) after his diagnosis, won critical acclaim, regularly pulling in more than four million viewers.

So it’s welcome news that The A Word is set to return to BBC1 this week, picking up two years on from the original. Following the continuing challenges faced by Joe and his family – mum Alison (Christie), dad Paul (Ingleby) and grandad Maurice (Eccleston) – the new six-parter has been penned once again by BAFTA-winning Peter Bowker.

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It’s a celebration of love and the need for us all to communicate more

Morven Christie

“I hope the word of mouth between series is sufficient for people to say, ‘Don’t worry, it’s not an “issue” drama, it’s not dour, it’s not serious.’ It can be serious, but it’s also got a lot of humour in it and a lot of warmth,” reflects Peter on the drama, which is filmed once again in Manchester and the Lake District.

This series, Joe’s language is developing, and he is starting to see that he may not be the same as other children. In the first episode, Joe speaks about autism for the first time and views it as negative, which prompts a frank discussion with his parents.

Maurice, meanwhile, is struggling with his unrequited passion for his former love Louise (Pooky Quesnel, W1A). Matters turn awkward when he is obliged to speak to her for the first time in two years when her son Ralph (Leon Harrop, The Street) applies for a job in his brewery.

There are lots of moments of light relief in the drama, but the underlying theme, says Morven, 36, is acceptance.

“It’s about how this family actually works with the reality of having a child on the spectrum,” she observes.

“I think there’s something pure of heart about Joe that we all understand and identify with and want to protect. It makes the audience invest in a way that brings these characters into everybody’s lives in a much more intense manner.”

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The A Word focuses on five-year old-Joe, who suffers with autism

This series sees further challenges for her character Alison, who has embraced who Joe is and has put her energy into support groups in the wider autism community.

Paul, on the other hand, has moved in the opposite direction, feeling that he doesn’t have what it takes to be a good parent to Joe. How he copes with this and the pressures this puts on his marriage are another theme of this series.

The first series achieved the considerable feat of initiating a national conversation about autism, and writer Peter says he wanted people to think about how we accidently marginalise people on the autism spectrum. Ultimately, The A Word is an uplifting drama, though, depicting the way love manifests itself within a family.

According to Christopher, 53, in the end love triumphs.

“Alison and Paul’s love for their son will overcome everything,” he says.

“It’s a celebration of love and the need for us all to communicate more.”

PH

The BBC drama regularly pulled in more than four million viewers in its first series

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